North Carolina, United States (AP) – How long can I stay infected before a positive virus test?
Studies have shown that people can become infected for about two days before developing COVID-19 symptoms.
Dr. Wake Forest University’s infectious disease specialist. Werner Bischoff said that, in fact, before symptoms develop, it only happens when most people are infected.
People who never develop symptoms can also spread the infection. It is a problem because many people never take the test unless they develop symptoms or know they have been exposed.
But there is a more complicated part of the question: what happens if someone knows they have been exposed but their virus test comes back negative – can it still be contagious?
Maybe.
The negative test less than seven days after exposure is that “there is a very weak indicator of whether you have a virus on board,” said Drs. Said Lan Lan Wells.
Some tests are less accurate than others, and you have to factor in the duration of the intake, he said.
A negative test at seven to 10 days of exposure is a better indicator, Wells said, but even then some people may not test positive later.
“That’s why if you have a reliable contact, you should wear a mask and if there is a question you should self-quarantine.”
Now you can read the Jamaica Observer Epaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer Epaper is available to you at home or at work, and the same version is available in printed copy at http://bit.ly/epaper-login.
.
